this week senate majority leader harry reid stripped feinstein's gun ban from the bill for strategic reasons, so that the senate will take it up next month. the pared down legislation focuses on school safety and gun trafficking. at new york's city hall mayor michael bloomberg who heads mayors against illegal guns implored congress for an amendment to the stripped down legislation. >> the only question is whether congress will have the courage to do the right thingor whether they will allow more innocent people, including innocent children, to be gunned down. >> the mayor was flanked by vice president joe biden who reminded the audience that congress has passed a been on assault weapons in 1994 and could do so again. the vice president also turned to a mother of one of the schoolteachers killed in the newtown, connecticut massacre. >> you know, it's time for the political establishment to show the courage your daughter showed. it must be awful being in public office and concluding that even though you might believe you should take action, that you can't take action because of a polit